Christian Horn (specialist outpatient clinic for addiction, Lukas-Werk Braunschweig), Yulia Volkova (drug counseling Wolfsburg), Katja Bosse (specialist outpatient clinic for addiction, Lukas-Werk Goslar) and Larissa Waßmann (youth and drug counseling Braunschweig) (from left). | Photo: Evangelische Stiftung Neuerkerode
25.09.2024, 21:07
Region. On the occasion of this year’s nationwide day of action against gambling addiction, which in 2024 has the motto “Sports betting: The stakes are higher than you think”, prevention specialists from regional addiction support facilities have decided to join the alliance against sports betting together with their institutions – the youth and drug counseling service in Braunschweig, Lukas-Werk Gesundheitsdienste GmbH and the drug counseling service in Wolfsburg. The Evangelische Stiftung Neuerkerode reports this in a press release.
By joining, they want to actively promote responsible gambling and are particularly calling for stricter regulation of sports betting advertising.
In the 2024 sports year, which was marked by the European Football Championship and the Olympic Games, the sports betting market is experiencing a boom. Advertising from major providers such as Tipico, Betano or bwin is omnipresent – be it on permanent banners in stadiums, on television or on the Internet. The sports betting business brings in billions for operators.
Voices on the day of action
Yulia Volkova, Wolfsburg Drug Counseling Center: “In our view, it is harmful both individually and for society as a whole to advertise and market substances and behaviors with a high addictive potential. A ban on sports betting advertising would enable the state to fulfill its duty to protect. That is the position and stance of the Wolfsburg Youth and Drug Counseling Center.”
Larissa Waßmann, Youth and Drug Counselling Service Braunschweig: “Sports betting has a high potential for addiction, especially for young people, as it falsely gives the feeling that knowledge about sports can lead to winning.”
Active athletes affected
Christian Horn, Braunschweig addiction outpatient clinic of Lukas-Werk Gesundheitsdienste GmbH: “In my consultations, I often hear from those affected that they themselves are or were active in sports clubs. Apparently, this is a common way to enter the deceptive world of sports betting.”
Katja Bosse, Specialist Addiction Clinic Goslar of Lukas-Werk Gesundheitsdienste GmbH: “The constant confrontation with the advertising of betting providers during sports coverage creates the impression that betting and sport are one and the same. Clients of mine reported that they could no longer concentrate on the sporting event, but were constantly thinking about what they would bet on next.”
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